WORLD : Blast Hits Tanker in Dubai Dry Dock

DUBAI — An explosion ripped through a supertanker in Dubai dry dock today, killing at least one man and injuring 14, police said.

"We are still checking the ship to see if there are any other bodies, there is still smoke around," a police spokesman, contacted by telephone, said.

Dock sources said earlier some crew members were among the casualties aboard the Pakistani-owned vessel, operated by the Hong Kong-based Atlas Shipping Management company. The explosion occurred in the pump room of the 231,439-ton Bahamas-registered Seiva, one day before the vessel was due to leave dry dock after repairs.

A dry-dock worker contacted by telephone said a welding machine could have caused the blast.